On Friday evening an excellent KO Cup Final was won by a wonder goal from Micki Williams as Hearts of Oak completed the double against Norton Athletic.
Below are both sides match reports on the big game:
Norton v Hearts 0~1 LEAGUE CUP FINAL
The top two teams in the league met to contest the final, for the second year in a row. Hearts were at full strength and on a run of 11 league games without conceding a goal. Oak kicked off the battle but it was Norton who gained the early pressure with Hills and Hakky both hitting very good efforts which were inches wide, although Hearts withstood the pressure Vinny and Jonny combined to put Fisher clean threw who lifted his shot over bar. This seemed to relax Hearts , there next attack saw Taylor skin four players but lacking composure in front of goal he to shot over bar.Norton were closing Hearts down and using thier wide men as quick as possible and were unlucky not to take the lead when Scouse hit foot of the post from 25 yards . Again this woke up hearts Vinny Terry got round back and layed back for Jonny to hit an effort which seemed to hit a hand but ref carried on , from that break Norton poured forward at pace and Last massive frame denied Hills when he was clean threw. Fisher had the next best chance with a header from the impressive Bells free kick but Hills was alert to save .The first half was a very even contest and with the defences of both teams being as solid as ever.
Half time 0~0
Norton started second half brightly and again could of took the lead when Tom Hudson was left with a free header which Last saved . Luke replaced the injured Taylor to change Hearts formation to four four two with Fisher moved wide left. this opened up the match and gave Norton the extra man in the middle , Scouse blazed over when he should of scored then five mins later Fallaize for Hearts fired straight at hills when clean threw, it seemed destined for extra time with both teams cancelling each other out, until Fallaize forced a mistake at back which fell to Micki 35yards out who carried the ball past Boggis and unleashed a 25 yard drive into top left hand corner of net with six mins remaining. Norton threw everything at Hearts for last few mins but the outstanding defence of Hamo, Bell , Boyd and trindall were equal to most things ,Hearts had a chance to double thier lead with a indirect free kick 10 yards out , Mickis piledriver was cleared of line with the rebound falling nicely to Jonny to smack against arm of Richard Hudson but again ref waved play on. In the dying seconds Norton had the best clear chance of whole game but ben bircham blazed over from 8 yards with only last to beat. An outstanding match between the leagues two best teams which was decided by a special strike, For Hearts this was a brilliant finish to a season that started slowly.
The victory was dedicated to Jonny and Mickis Father who passed away on wednesday , and both brothers would like to thank both teams for respect shown on minutes silence and by wearing black armbands.
Full time 0~1
NOTLEYS DISTRICT LEAGUE MAN OF MATCH ~ Micki Williams, never stopped working and scored a corking winner .
02/05/08
Hearts of Oak 1 v 0 Norton Athletic – League Cup Final
Norton Athletic went into the league cup final looking to retain the trophy the trophy and deny Hearts an impressive double in what has been a good battle between the league’s two best sides all season.
For Norton were forced into some changes as Danny Hoadley was in Spain and Andy Green started on the bench with an injured ankle however he was probably fit to start. Richard Hudson also managed to get through 90 minutes despite a Hamstring worry.
The contest was proceeded by a minutes silence’s for Hearts players Micki and Jonny Williams who sadly lost their father on Wednesday and it was quite fitting that Mick would go on to net a magnificent winner and pick up the MoM award.
The game kicked off with both teams exchanging early corners and the first half chance fell to Norton’s Kevin Briers who could only stab the ball at Last in the Hearts goal.
Good play down the left between Paul Harriman, Ric Hudson and Chris Smith Jnr saw Ryan Hills also stab the ball towards Last.
The game was another cracker and when Steven Hak let fly from distance with the ball inches over it was living up to its billing. For Norton both full backs were attacking when given the chance and when Nick Persich got forward his deep cross was flicked over y Last.
More Norton pressure though ended with Hearts having the clearest chance of the game. Ryan Hills lost possession when trying to turn and Hearts broke forward. Jonny Williams crossed to Lee Fisher who blazed over with the goal at his mercy.
Norton then won a free-kick and Andy Boggis managed to pick out the dangerous Steven Hak who could only head at the keeper. For the first time in the match after around 30 minutes Hearts Darren Boyd lost out to Ryan Hills. With Last coming fast Hills took a touch and could only fires at his big frame. The rebound also went the same way. On the next attack it was Hills again but this time he twisted and turned before letting rip with another shot that was inches over.
The game appeared to be opening up and Hearts Adam Taylor went on a mazy run past several players who his end product was lacking as he fired over the top.
With Hearts now back in the game a long straight free kick saw Rob Hills alert to tip the header round the post.
For Norton the midfield trio were working well and Chris Smith Jnr (Goose) was covering every blade of grass to get in tackles and break up the Hearts play. As the half neared its conclusion a long throw was cleared to Kevin Briers who long range strike had Last beaten but it came back of the base of the post and from the resultant cross Ryan Hills put his header over. HT 0-0
The second half saw Norton start positive once more but by now the contest was full of commitment and for Norton Tom Hudson in particular was coming in for some tough treatment. The first chance of the half arrived to Hearts as captain Darren Boyd picked up a lose ball on the edge of the box and tried a curler which Kevin Briers headed off the line.
Norton then created their best chance of the match so far as a cross saw Tom Hudson unmarked at the far post but he could only head at the keeper when he had time to take a touch and bring the ball down. Moments later an even better chance as Ryan Hills dinked a short ball into Briers and from close range he could only blaze over.
The longer the contest went on the more likely that one goal would win and Hills had to be alert to deny Luke Faliaze when clean through.
Norton’s star man Steven Hak was then forced to retire with an injury to be replaced by Carl Cooper. As the game entered the final ten minutes Hearts took the lead with a brilliant strike worthy of winning any game. Luke Faliaze won possession for Hearts and he laid it inside to Micki Williams. Norton appeared to back off and so Williams made ground before unleashing a 25yarder into the top corner.
For Norton were now staring defeat in the face having played so well and in a final push and the final second they created a guilt edge chance to force extra time but Ben Burcham could only blaze over when sliding in and Hearts had completed the double.
For Norton this was a bitter pill to swallow having played some good football all season and having matched Hearts all the way only to be denied their own double by two single strikes in the crucial games. It has been a fantastic season none the less and everyone has played their part. Well done to everyone for the respect shown at the start and to all for socialising in the Hearts of Oak after despite the result.
The Read Bros MoM: Chris Smith Jnr.
Line up: R Hills, N Persich, C Smith (A Green), S Hak (C Cooper), A Boggis, R Hudson, T Hudson, C Smith Jnr, K Briers, Ry Hills, P Harriman (B Burcham).
That’s it for another season then with the Presentation evening on Saturday May 31st, 7.30pm at the Raveningham Barn. Tickets on sale now from Scott Yarham. Also all owed monies are now due. Before the presentation evening the club jets off to Bratisvalia on Friday 16th May to its annual tour with the opposition believed to be Fernet Boys. On Friday 23rd May sees the Lowestoft League presentation evening at Notley's, and the following Friday 30th sees the Gt Yarmouth Sunday League presentation evening at Gorleston Social Club.
